Napa-forward and built for red meat
NewBo · Cedar Rapids · Steakhouse / Butcher Restaurant
Reviewed July 3, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Butcher's Block reads exactly like the room looks — confident, beef-forward, and unapologetically American. You're not going to find any orange wine or obscure Jura producers here, and that's fine. This list was built to move Cabernet with a dry-aged ribeye, and it does that job well.
The list leans hard on Napa and Sonoma, with Washington State and Bordeaux filling in the gaps. The usual suspects are all present — Caymus, Jordan, Duckhorn, The Prisoner — and while none of those picks will surprise anyone who's dined at a mid-to-upscale steakhouse in the last decade, they're crowd-proven and well-suited to the kitchen's output. What's missing is any real depth beyond the mainstream: no grower Burgundies, no Barolo, no Spanish or Argentine options to give the adventurous diner somewhere interesting to go. It's a list that plays to the room rather than challenging it.
The by-the-glass program runs 8-14 options and tracks closely with the bottle list — expect Cabernet, Merlot, and a red blend or two to dominate, with a few token whites for the table. Rotation appears minimal; this isn't a program that's constantly refreshing its pours. If you're going glass, lean into whatever Cabernet they're pouring and don't overthink it.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Jordan is a perennial steakhouse workhorse for a reason — it's structured, approachable, and consistently delivers above its price point. In a list full of heavily marked-up Napa names, Jordan tends to offer the best quality-to-cost ratio at the table. Pricing was not available in our research, but it's the bottle we'd reach for first.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at a steakhouse is grabbing the Cab, and we get it. But Duckhorn's Napa Merlot is serious wine that most tables walk right past. It's plush, structured, and handles a prime filet with more elegance than the bigger, bolder reds on the list. Worth a second look.
The Prisoner Red Blend
The Prisoner is a fine wine that's been loved to near-death by restaurant wine programs everywhere. At steakhouse markup prices, you're paying a premium for a label that's become ubiquitous. The money is better spent elsewhere on this list.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-Aged Ribeye
Caymus is rich, ripe, and about as subtle as a tomahawk to the face — which is exactly why it works with a dry-aged ribeye. The wine's dark fruit and velvety texture stand up to the intensified beefy flavors of dry-aging without getting overwhelmed. Classic for a reason.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Butcher's Block is a reliable steakhouse wine list that does exactly what it's supposed to — get Napa Cab on the table with a great piece of beef. It won't excite the adventurous drinker, and the markups sting a little, but if you're here for the meat, the wine will do its job.
Cedar Rapids · Cedar Rapids · Italian
Biaggi's isn't a wine destination, but the Italian-forward list does enough right that you can drink well if you know where to look. Stick to the Italian bottles, avoid the obvious crowd-pleasers, and you'll leave satisfied.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cedar Rapids · Cedar Rapids · Upscale Steakhouse / Fine Dining American
Midtown Reserve is doing more with wine than anyone in Cedar Rapids has a right to expect, with a list that actually has some range and genuine finds if you look past the house pours. The markups are real and the glass program plays it safe, but for a serious dinner in Iowa, this is absolutely where you want to be drinking.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Czech Village · Cedar Rapids · Pub food and American
Parlor City is a genuinely fun neighborhood pub, and the daily happy hour makes the wine situation tolerable — half-price Moscato d'Asti at 4pm is a perfectly fine life choice. But if wine is your priority tonight, this isn't your stop.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Active Program
Acceptable
Lindale Mall area · Cedar Rapids · American / Brewpub
Granite City is a perfectly fine place to drink a pint brewed on-site — that's genuinely the move here. The wine list exists as a formality, not an invitation, and the markups on grocery-store bottles aren't doing anyone any favors.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lindale Mall area · Cedar Rapids · Sports Bar
Buffalo Wild Wings Cedar Rapids is not a wine destination — it's a sports bar that technically serves wine the way a gas station technically sells food. Order a beer, enjoy the wings, and save your wine curiosity for literally anywhere else in Cedar Rapids.
Grocery Store
Steep
Red Flag
MIA
Set & Forget
Hot Mess
Westdale · Cedar Rapids · Tex-Mex / American
Chili's Cedar Rapids is not a wine destination, and it has absolutely no interest in becoming one. Order the margarita, enjoy the ribs, and save your wine curiosity for a restaurant that shares it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.